The Bristol 403 was the third of the five series of Bristol cars powered by the BMW-derived pushrod straight-six. Made from 1953 to 1955, it replaced the 401 and 402 but kept their styling, adding the mechanical refinements that made it the quickest of the six-cylinder Bristols.
Bristol 403 at a glance
| Maker | Bristol Aeroplane Co., car division |
|---|---|
| Production | 1953–1955 |
| Body | four-door saloon |
| Engine | 1,971 cc straight-six, pushrod |
| Main bearings | 54 mm, against 51 mm on the 400 and 401 |
| Power | 100 hp (75 kW) |
| Top speed | 104 mph (167 km/h) |
| 0–60 mph | 13.4 seconds, against 16.4 for the 401 |
| Front suspension | independent with anti-roll bar |
| Brakes | Alfin finned drums, front only on later cars |
This page is based on the English Wikipedia article on the Bristol 403.
History of the Bristol 403
The 403 was produced from 1953 to 1955 by the Bristol Aeroplane Company, whose car division later became Bristol Cars. It was the third of the eventual five series of Bristols powered by the BMW-derived pushrod straight-six, and it replaced the Bristol 401 and 402 in 1953, continuing in production for two years.
More power from the same six
The 1,971 cc six was modified with bigger valves and larger main bearings, 54 mm in diameter against 51 mm on the 400 and 401. That raised the output to 100 hp (75 kW) from the 85 hp of the 401, and the acceleration improved markedly: the 403 reached 60 mph in 13.4 seconds against 16.4 seconds for its predecessor, with a top speed of 104 mph (167 km/h).
To cope with the extra power, an anti-roll bar was fitted to the front suspension, and improved drum brakes known as Alfins — aluminium, finned for cooling — were installed. Early cars had them on all four wheels, but Bristol decided the car was over-braked and restricted them to the front wheels on later 403s.
The last BMW grille
The 403 was the last Bristol to wear the BMW-style radiator grille. It is also notable for two extra headlamps at the side, almost pre-dating the adoption of the four-headlamp layout in larger cars; Bristol themselves adopted it with the 411 in the late 1960s. Otherwise the body carried over the 401’s Touring-inspired shape with its concealed door handles and inboard headlamps, so the 403 is recognised mainly by its lamps and grille.
The model was replaced in 1955 by the 404 and 405, which abandoned the BMW-style grille for something closer to an aero-engine intake.
Design and features
- 100 hp six: bigger valves and stronger main bearings raised output by 15 hp over the 401.
- Alfin brakes: finned aluminium drums, fitted all round at first and to the front only later.
- Anti-roll bar: added at the front to tame the increased performance.
- Four headlamps: two extra side lamps anticipated the four-lamp layout Bristol adopted with the 411.
Bristol 403 versions
- Early 403: Alfin brakes on all four wheels.
- Later 403: Alfin drums at the front only.
- Fourth series (411): the later Bristol that adopted the four-headlamp layout the 403 anticipated.
The 403 replaced the Bristol 401 and gave way to the Bristol 404 and 405. The whole line is listed in the Bristol collection.
Video: 1953 Bristol 403
Video by DAIYAAUTO on YouTube.
Sources
- Bristol 403, English Wikipedia: engine, performance, brakes, styling
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